The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-07
THE NEW PARTY.


The sayings of Henry George, when
found in his weekly paper, the Standard
have only the weight of a one-man opinion
as expressed in paper originated ana
owned by him; but when, as this month,
the North American Review dignities one
of his articles by placing it on the first
pages of its July number, then his views
gain the added importance that such a
recognizedly able monthly can give them.
His subject, as usual, is "The New Party"
his treatment of it, conclusive of its won
drous growth and future power; /. e.,
from his standpoint. He predicates the
inevitableness of his party's success, on
the fact that,as between the democratic and
republican parties, there is nothing at this
time to choose, and "the process of disin-
tegration and reconstruction is now going
on" This is instanced by the prohibition
as we'll as the labor movement. But
more than this, Mr.. George claims that
"the new party" has that essential for
party's founding and stability, great
and central "idea," through whose dis
semination and upon the thorough under
standing of which men must gather
round il and band themselves together in
its support. This one idea is the taxing
of land values, barring their every incre-
ment except the value (which attaches to
land by reason of social growth and i'm
provement," Though why the sum total
of growth and improvement is allowed,
while the idea of personal improvement
and individual ownership is secuted, it is
hard to divine.) Mr.. George does not be-
lieve in trying to force party into ex-
istence, but rather contends that party
is thing in its inception, not of "com-
binations or compromises" but Of steady
growth founded on cardinal principles
He says: 'But questions of name and
questions of Organization are, to US, who
see the coming of the new party and who
know its power, matters of com
partively unimportant detail. We have I
faith in the idea, and as that moves for t
ward we know all else will follow. We can 9
form no combinations, and will make no b
How our progress may af-
feet the political equilibrium and give
temporary success, locally or nationally,
10 either of the old parties, we care Q
nothing at all. Even whether our own "
when we put them up, are II
elected or defeated makes little differences; "
The contest will stimulate discussion and
promote the cause. We follow prin- 81
,iple that through defeat must go on to
inal triumph" =,
Such positive, self-satisfied language, n
wen condescending in the certainty of t.
Is assured success, would indicate that u
he man is infatuated beyond the limit y
f considering the actual facts al
n the case as it now exists, F
y is gifted with rare omniscience a
o peer into and read the secrets of the :
uture. A body of men in New York,
aving as their platform a part of his n
reed, did, in the last municipal elections, u
make an unsuccessful but good fight for =" %
flee. But that from this he can seriously II
nd contentedly contemplate national" a
ictories in the near future, is the height II
# assumption and presumption. Posi- "
'ly, Mr.. George is of the number of those &
Unfortunate men who have been born be-
ore their time--he certainly, in his euto- t,
ian ideas, is far ahead of the Nineteenth, O
nd we hope of the Twentieth, century. s,